Colleges Raise Over £2,500 for Cancer Research UK with Race For Life

Students and staff from Riverside College and Cronton Sixth Form came together on Friday 3rd May for the annual College Race for Life event at Victoria Park in Widnes, all to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

For the fourth year running, hundreds of students, staff and members of the public took part in the exciting race to raise money for the charity. Previous events have been hugely successful, with over £12,000 raised. This year’s efforts have raised the total even higher, adding an impressive £2,500 so far, with donations still coming in.

Hundreds of people showed their full support for the cause by dressing in pink and wearing pink glitter makeup which was provided by Riverside College’s makeup team. Almost everyone has been affected by cancer in one way, and this was demonstrated by the many heartfelt messages of support and encouragement that the runners proudly pinned to their outfits.

Following performances by Cronton music students and a warmup session by Fitness Instructor Tanya Johnson from Halton Borough Council, the racers lined up. Councillor Eddie Jones and Widnes Vikings players Jack Owens and Joe Lyons then signalled the start of the race.

After a five kilometre run around the park, Scottish Power Apprentice Dominic Thomas crossed the line first with an impressive winning time of under 14 minutes. A Level student Anais O’Connor then crossed the line as the fastest female runner while Digital Marketing Apprentice Lewis Greenway was fastest College staff member on the day.

The participants then headed back to Riverside College’s Centre Stage Theatre to be presented with a medal by special guests including; The Mayor and Mayoress of Halton Councillors John and Marjorie Bradshaw, Widnes Vikings players Brad Walker and Jordan Johnstone, England and St Helen’s Rugby star Mark Percival and local boxing legend Michael “Rocky” Fielding.

David Ash, who represented Cancer Research UK, also took to the stage to provide an inspirational speech to the audience of proud participants.

This year’s Race for Life was sponsored by local charity Young Addaction Halton and local businesses including Cronton Lane Bakery, Asda Widnes Store and Morrisons Widnes Store who kindly donated food and bottled water for the day. The Rapid Relief Team, a global charitable organisation with teams all over the world, generously catered the event providing a BBQ and hot drinks for participants to enjoy.

Event co-organiser Helen Maddison said, “Our fourth Race for Life has been the best yet! It was incredible to see so many people taking part to raise money for such a wonderful cause. Thank you to everyone who got involved to make this event a big success.”

Event co-organiser Keith Barker said, “This is such an important event in the College calendar. Almost everybody has been affected by Cancer in one way or another so it was amazing to see so many people taking part. A big thank you to everyone who made a donation!”

If you would like to make a donation towards this wonderful cause, you can do so via the College Race for Life JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/raceforlife-2019